Seek My Face
Early in the mornings, my dog and I go walking. Usually it is about 5:30am or so when we go. Yes, that is early, but it is about the only time I have to exercise. I have come to really enjoy my early morning walks because it is then, I start my day off with the Lord. Before the sun comes up, I look up and see the stars shining so brightly. I thought to myself one morning as I looked up at those stars...as Christ followers, that is how you and I are to shine in a dark world . We are to be a light in the darkness, reflecting the light of Jesus.
Many things can weigh us down and cause our light to dim. Financial strain, problems in our marriage or family, feelings of inadequacy, and sin. As we go through these seasons of difficulty, it is easy for us to take our eyes off of Jesus and focus on the problem. Unfortunately, when we do that, the problem is then magnified and God becomes small. satan would like nothing more than to destroy our testimony and make us forget Whose we are. As a follower of Christ, you and me belong to Him and there is nothing that can change that or separate us from His love. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?As it is written: for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans: 8:35-39
Friend, there is not one thing that you and I will go through that can keep us from the love of Christ Jesus. We need to at times remind ourselves of this truth. That is why it is so important to hide God's word in our hearts. You may be asking, what exactly does that mean? Well, it is spending time in His word, meditating-or letting it sink in-on scripture. Then, when you face something extremely difficult, or are tired and weary or want to give up or give in to sin, the Holy Spirit can bring the verses to your mind that you have hidden in your heart. Verses like, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
or "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory and Your right hand sustains me." Psalm 18:32-35 Whichever verse it may be, it is God speaking-it is truth-and it is for you and for me to help us as we go through life.
So much clutter can get into our minds IF we allow it to. We hear things from the media, watch certain programs or movies, books we choose to read and even friends who may mean well, but offer advice that is not scriptural. Everything we see and hear either feeds our spirit or feeds our flesh. We have a choice and we can choose to watch things that feed our spirit. We can also choose thoughts to meditate on and if they don't line up with God's word, we need to cast them down. The Bible speaks of the helmet of salvation-this is the mind of Christ; the thoughts we take captive. If something does not line up with the word of God, we do not need to focus on it. If someone gives you advice that contradicts God's word, you obviously do not follow it and you also need to be ready to stand up for the Truth.
I was praying one morning for God to so let me feel His presence and how I just want to please Him. His answer to me was this, "Seek My Face." Often times we tithe or we do things for others or for God to be noticed or to receive a reward. He wants us to seek the Giver, not the gift. When we focus on Him, our problems don't go away, but they become somewhat of a blur and we realize just how BIG our God is! Yes, He loves giving us gifts-every good and perfect gift comes from Him. James 1:17 but more than that, He wants us to seek Him. It is about relationship. A relationship that is so precious and intimate. God cares more about us than we could possibly imagine and He proved this when He sent His One and only Son to die on the cross for us-to take all of our sin and shame away, so that we could be united with Him forever.
I am praying that you KNOW Him-that you don't just know ABOUT Him. And that you know just how much He loves you. "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields them all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12
Many things can weigh us down and cause our light to dim. Financial strain, problems in our marriage or family, feelings of inadequacy, and sin. As we go through these seasons of difficulty, it is easy for us to take our eyes off of Jesus and focus on the problem. Unfortunately, when we do that, the problem is then magnified and God becomes small. satan would like nothing more than to destroy our testimony and make us forget Whose we are. As a follower of Christ, you and me belong to Him and there is nothing that can change that or separate us from His love. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?As it is written: for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans: 8:35-39
Friend, there is not one thing that you and I will go through that can keep us from the love of Christ Jesus. We need to at times remind ourselves of this truth. That is why it is so important to hide God's word in our hearts. You may be asking, what exactly does that mean? Well, it is spending time in His word, meditating-or letting it sink in-on scripture. Then, when you face something extremely difficult, or are tired and weary or want to give up or give in to sin, the Holy Spirit can bring the verses to your mind that you have hidden in your heart. Verses like, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
or "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory and Your right hand sustains me." Psalm 18:32-35 Whichever verse it may be, it is God speaking-it is truth-and it is for you and for me to help us as we go through life.
So much clutter can get into our minds IF we allow it to. We hear things from the media, watch certain programs or movies, books we choose to read and even friends who may mean well, but offer advice that is not scriptural. Everything we see and hear either feeds our spirit or feeds our flesh. We have a choice and we can choose to watch things that feed our spirit. We can also choose thoughts to meditate on and if they don't line up with God's word, we need to cast them down. The Bible speaks of the helmet of salvation-this is the mind of Christ; the thoughts we take captive. If something does not line up with the word of God, we do not need to focus on it. If someone gives you advice that contradicts God's word, you obviously do not follow it and you also need to be ready to stand up for the Truth.
I was praying one morning for God to so let me feel His presence and how I just want to please Him. His answer to me was this, "Seek My Face." Often times we tithe or we do things for others or for God to be noticed or to receive a reward. He wants us to seek the Giver, not the gift. When we focus on Him, our problems don't go away, but they become somewhat of a blur and we realize just how BIG our God is! Yes, He loves giving us gifts-every good and perfect gift comes from Him. James 1:17 but more than that, He wants us to seek Him. It is about relationship. A relationship that is so precious and intimate. God cares more about us than we could possibly imagine and He proved this when He sent His One and only Son to die on the cross for us-to take all of our sin and shame away, so that we could be united with Him forever.
I am praying that you KNOW Him-that you don't just know ABOUT Him. And that you know just how much He loves you. "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields them all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12
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